Mr. Sickles to Mr. Fish
Sir: In a recent conversation with a distinguished Spanish general, whose official employments afford him ample means of accurate information, he told me that more than forty millions of dollars had been expended for military purposes during the past year in Cuba. He did not state whether or not this large sum included any portion of the amount disbursed for the fleet of gun-boats maintained in those waters especially with reference to the insurrection.
My informant added that the aggregate force under arms exceeded one hundred thousand men, more than half of whom were regular troops, and that the losses of the army of Cuba, from the various casualties of the service, exceeded eighteen thousand men. It was his impression that the insurgent force did not number more than six thousand of all arms.
I hear from trustworthy sources, likely to be well informed, that the insurgents have lost no ground of importance; that their troops are better armed and better disciplined than heretofore; and that, in several recent actions, they have gained considerable advantages over the Spanish troops, many of whom are represented as deserting to the insurgents. Reports of the most cruel severities against prisoners of war and against non-combatants, perpetrated by both parties, continue to reach Madrid.
The consul at Cadiz informs me that several detachments of troops, destined for service in Cuba, have embarked from that port within the past two months.
I am, &c.,